How to Keep Your Voice Neutral in Poker

Playing poker is two parts luck, one hundred parts attitude and game play. You could have the best hand in the world and lose it – or the worst hand, and win big. Part of the reason why poker players win is because they have control over their face – the so-called Poker Face – their posture, their body language and their voice. Expert players know how to never give anything away. Many players can even bluff their way successfully to a win. If you want to succeed at poker – and you want to win when you are playing in a live contest – you need to know how to keep your face, body, and voice neutral. here are a few tips to make sure you don’t betray everything with your voice.

1. Speak With a Balanced Tone

Your voice easily reveals your emotions and your intentions. You need to keep your voice always even, always measured, and always balanced. A quivering voice, a too-loud voice, or a quiet voice gives away what you are thinking. You give your opponents an easy tell when you are suddenly croaky voiced or wobbly. Before speaking, take a breath and take it slow so that you can ensure your speaking tone is always the same.

2. Use Only A Few Words

The more you say, the more you give your opponents. In a high-stakes game there is no need to chat or ask opponents questions. one-word answers are enough. You don’t need to say much at all, and you should keep your speech to a minimum. Stick to the facts and the essentials. And don’t start saying Um and Ah all the time – this betrays that you are nervous and not particularly sure of yourself. Keep to the point. Of course, if you are playing poker with friends you can be more relaxed but take care not to get so relaxed your voice begins to betray you.

3. Nods Are As Good As Speech

If you do not feel comfortable talking, nod. Or shake your head. You don’t necessarily have to say anything, and if you are asked something by the dealer you can use these non-verbal gestures. Chew gum if you need to distract yourself. Don’t constantly talk, unless you are really sure this is a good distraction technique. In all cases it helps if you are sure of what you are going to say before you say it. If you are impulsive or a chatterbox, a live poker game may not be your strong point. Play Poker Online instead so you can chat to the people in your house while still remaining neutral in the online game.

 

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